SPORTS BRIEFS

Agencies

RUGBY UNION

Dagg in doghouse over tweet

Praise for All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg turned to disappointment yesterday over his use of a homophobic slur. Dagg was hailed as one of the stars of the All Blacks 30-0 victory over France on Saturday, but as he revelled in the spotlight he used the word “fag” in a tweet. The comment attracted widespread criticism leading Dagg to admit to a “wrong choice of word” in a later tweet and say he had not meant to cause offence. Former New Zealand women’s rugby player and now opposition Member of Parliament Louisa Wall said All Blacks had a responsibility not to use offensive language. “They fail to recognize the responsibility they have as leaders in New Zealand society, and the influence they have on a whole generation not only of young people, but they represent all New Zealanders now,” she told Fairfax News.

MARATHONs

Kenyans top in Taichung

Kenyan runners took the top three positions in both the men’s and women’s inaugural Greater Taichung marathon yesterday, as nearly 20,000 runners battled hot and humid conditions. Charles Kimutai won the men’s race, crossing the line in two hours, 23 minutes and 35 seconds, followed by countrymen Eliud Kapchanga in 2:26:03 and Robert Kilagat Kosge in 2:26:08. In the women’s race, Mercy Jelimo Too took the title in two hours, 44 minutes and 37 seconds, followed by Janet Jelagat in 2:49:27 and Eunice Chebichii in 2:57:19. Both Kimutai and Too took home a cash prize of NT$500,000 after winning the first international marathon organized by the Taichung City Government. About 3,000 people competed in the event, while 17,000 others took part in the half-marathon and other events, the organizers said.

CRICKET

Anderson denies allegations

James Anderson has insisted that allegations of ball-tampering levelled against England by former captain Bob Willis are “very disappointing” and definitely untrue. England limited overs coach Ashley Giles on Saturday refuted the claims made by Willis, now a television pundit, who alleged the side were obtaining reverse swing by methods banned under cricket’s laws. “As a team we’re really surprised by his comments,” England seamer Anderson told the Mail on Sunday. “Even though there’s nothing to them whatsoever they could stick for a while to us, which isn’t wanted, needed or helpful. It’s come as a very unwelcome distraction and, frankly, we could do without allegations such as these ... The fact is people can think what they like. We know the truth, I can state categorically that no one in the England team has ever tampered with a ball and we won’t allow comments made by someone like Bob Willis to worry us.” He insisted England were doing nothing against the rules. “Reverse swing has been an issue in cricket for a while,” he said. “But just because one bowler or one team reverse a ball better than another on a given day doesn’t mean to say he or they have been tampering. It just means they’re more skilful ... I can assure you that if any of the England bowlers achieve it then it is within the letter of the laws.”

Badminton

World No. 1s win titles

World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei easily defeated Germany’s Marc Zwiebler yesterday to win the Indonesia Open for a fifth time. The Malaysian ace hardly broke a sweat against the unseeded Zwiebler in the men’s singles final in Jakarta, winning the match 21-15, 21-14 in just 40 minutes. Lee dominated from start to finish, with a string of smashes which proved too difficult for his left-handed opponent to return. In the women’s singles final, world No. 1 Li Xuerui of China beat Germany’s Juliane Schenk 21-16, 18-21, 21-17 in a match lasting 63 minutes.